Pak test fires long distance cruise missile

Islamabad (Agencies): Pakistan on Thursday successfully conducted test fire of indigenously developed Hatf-7 cruise missile with a range of 600 km that can hit targets in India.

According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations, the test of the nuclear-capable missile was "part of a process of validating the system."

The statement did not reveal the location of the test. The successful test of Hatf-7 or Babur cruise missile was witnessed by Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Gen Khalid Shamim Wynne, who said the launch would "go a long way in consolidating Pakistan's strategic deterrence capability and further strengthening national security."

"Pakistan's resolve and commitment to continue its strategic programme will remain paramount," he added.

The test was "warmly appreciated by the President and Prime Minister," who congratulated the scientists and engineers on their accomplishment, the statement said.

The Director General of the Strategic Plans Division, Lt Gen (retd) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Army Strategic Force Command chief Lt Gen Jamil Haider, senior officers from the military and strategic organisations, scientists and engineers were also present during the test.

The statement also said that the Babur can carry strategic or conventional warheads and has stealth capabilities.

It is a "low flying, terrain-hugging missile with high manoeuvrability, pin-point accuracy and radar avoidance features."

The missile also integrates modern cruise missile technology of terrain contour matching (TERCOM) and digital scene matching and area co-relation (DSMAC), the statement divulged.